Food processing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Food processing apparatuses having a drive unit which has more than one mode of operation, works with more than one food processing container, and/or may be operated in more than orientation are disclosed. The drive unit may be operated in first and second modes of operation. In some embodiments, the drive unit may be actuated in a different manner in the second mode of operation as compared to the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, the orientation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the orientation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/903,803filed Feb. 23, 2018, which is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisionalapplication Ser. No. 14/324,014 filed Jul. 3, 2014 (now patented as U.S.Pat. No. 9,924,838), both of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

FIELD

Aspects herein generally relate to a food processing apparatus and to amethod of processing food using a food processing apparatus. Morespecifically, aspects disclosed herein relate to a drive unit that canbe used to drive different processing tools in more than one mode ofoperation, with different food processing containers, and/or in morethan one orientation.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Food processors such as blenders use a drive unit to spin one or moreblades to process food. Many food processors have a drive unit thatsupports a food processing container.

SUMMARY

According to one illustrative embodiment, a food processing apparatusincludes a drive unit configured to drive a processing tool, a firstcontainer, a second container, a first activation site to permitactuation of the drive unit and a second activation site to permitactuation of the drive unit. The first activation site is positioned ata different location than the second activation site. The drive unit isuseable in a first mode of operation with the first container and isuseable in a second mode of operation with the second container. In thefirst mode of operation, the first container supports the drive unit,and user interaction with the first activation site actuates the driveunit. In the second mode of operation, the drive unit supports thesecond container, and user interaction with the second activation siteactuates the drive unit.

According to another illustrative embodiment, a food processingapparatus includes a drive unit configured to drive a processing tool, afirst activation site to permit actuation of the drive unit, a firstcontainer, and a second container. The drive unit is useable in a firstmode of operation with the first container and is useable in a secondmode of operation with the second container. In the first mode ofoperation, the first activation site is accessible by a user. In thesecond mode of operation, a user is prevented from activating the firstactivation site when the drive unit is placed in an upright position ona flat support surface.

According to yet another illustrative embodiment, a food processingapparatus includes a drive unit configured to drive a processing tooland a first container including a lid, a bottom surface, and a sidewall.A food-containing volume is defined between the lid, the bottom surface,and the sidewall, and the lid interfaces with the drive unit. The driveunit includes a first alignment feature and the lid includes a secondalignment feature that cooperates with the first alignment feature suchthat, upon placing the drive unit onto the lid, contact between thefirst and second alignment features and a weight of the drive unitcauses the drive unit to move toward an aligned orientation relative tothe lid.

According to yet another illustrative embodiment, drive unit configuredto drive a processing tool includes first and second activators, thedrive unit being useable in a first mode of operation with a firstcontainer and being useable in a second mode of operation with a secondcontainer. In the first mode of operation, the first container supportsthe drive unit, and triggering of the first activator actuates the driveunit. In the second mode of operation, the drive unit supports thesecond container, and triggering of the second activator actuates thedrive unit.

According to one another illustrative embodiment, a method includesarranging a drive unit in a first mode of operation with a firstcontainer where the first container supports the drive unit on a supportsurface. The method also includes interacting with a first activationsite to actuate the drive unit in the first mode of operation, removingthe drive unit from the first container, vertically flipping the driveunit upside-down, placing the drive unit on the support surface,arranging the drive unit in a second mode of operation with a secondcontainer where the drive unit supports the second container, andinteracting with a second activation site to actuate the drive unit inthe second mode of operation, the second activation site beingpositioned at a different location than the first activation site.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In thedrawings, each identical or nearly identical component that isillustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food processing apparatus having adrive unit in a first mode of operation in accordance with one aspect;

FIG. 2 depicts the drive unit of FIG. 1 in a second mode of operation;

FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a food processing apparatus, where the drive unitis depicted in first and second modes of operation, respectively;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the second end of the drive unit shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the drive unit shownin FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a first container and container lid inaccordance with one aspect

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the container lid shown in

FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the second end of the drive unitshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an outside of a second container inaccordance with one aspect;

FIG. 8B is a bottom plan view of the second container shown in FIG. 8B;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the food processing apparatus depicted in FIG.1;

FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the first end of the drive unit having afirst activation site in accordance with one aspect;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the drive unit depicting a recessed firstactivation site;

FIG. 11 an enlarged view of the first end of the drive unit with theouter button surface and gasket seal removed;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the drive unit with portions of theouter housing removed or in phantom to reveal a plurality of plungersand switches in accordance with one aspect;

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the opposite side of the drive unitshown in FIG. 12B;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the drive unit depicting an interactionbetween a plunger and a switch;

FIG. 14A depicts a container with a container lid having protrusions inaccordance with one aspect;

FIG. 14B is a top plan view of the container and container lid depictedin FIG. 14A;

FIG. 14C depicts the lid of FIG. 14A in phantom to reveal twointerlocks;

FIG. 15A is a schematic representation of the switches of the drive unitin accordance with an aspect;

FIG. 15B is a schematic representation of the actuation arrangement ofthe drive unit in accordance with an aspect;

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a drive unit arranged in the secondorientation for use in the second mode of operation with portions of theouter housing hidden or shown in in phantom;

FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the opposite side of the drive unitshown in FIG. 16A;

FIG. 17A depicts a method of actuating a different embodiment of a driveunit in a first mode of operation in accordance with one aspect;

FIG. 17B depicts a method of actuating the drive unit of FIG. 17A in asecond mode of operation;

FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C are schematic representations of the method ofactuating the drive unit in a first mode of operation as depicted inFIG. 17A;

FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C are schematic representations of another methodof actuating the drive unit of FIG. 17A in a first mode of operation;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a container lid in accordance with oneaspect;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a top portion of a container inaccordance with one aspect;

FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a container and a container lid, thecontainer lid having a tab that overlies a handle of the container inaccordance with one aspect;

FIG. 22B is a perspective view of the container depicted in FIG. 22Awith the container lid removed;

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of a container lid that houses atransmission system accordance with one aspect;

FIG. 24A depicts an underside of a container lid in accordance with oneaspect;

FIG. 24B depicts the container lid of FIG. 24A with the bottom surfaceof the lid removed;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a second end of a drive unit having adrain hole in accordance with one aspect;

FIG. 26A is a perspective view of the underside of a segment of thedrive unit having the drain hole depicted in FIG. 25;

FIG. 26B is a perspective view of the segment depicted in FIG. 26A beingcoupled to a ring;

FIG. 27A is a perspective view of the ring depicted in FIG. 26B;

FIG. 27B is a perspective view of the opposite side of the ring as shownin FIG. 27A;

FIG. 27C is an enlarged view of the ring depicted in FIG. 27A, the ringhaving a drain collector and drain outlet;

FIG. 28A is a perspective view of the ring depicted in FIG. 27Aintegrated into a drive unit;

FIG. 28B is an enlarged view of the drain outlet of the ring depicted inFIG. 28A;

FIG. 29A is a schematic representation of another embodiment of a driveunit in a first mode of operation in accordance with one aspect;

FIG. 29B is a schematic representation of the drive unit of FIG. 29A ina second mode of operation;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a bowl nested within a containeraccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a bowl including a lifting tabaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 32A is a front view of the tab of FIG. 31;

FIG. 32B is a side view of the tab of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a top perspective view of a dough hook having a grasping discaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective view of the dough hook of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35A is a top view of the dough hook of FIG. 33;

FIG. 35B is a side view of the grasping disc of FIG. 33; and

FIG. 35C is a side view of the grasping disc of FIG. 33.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Food processors typically include a drive unit that is configured todrive one or more processing tools such as blades, dough hooks, whisks,etc. The inventors have appreciated that users employ many differentkitchen tools and appliances to prepare a variety of foods and drinks.The inventors also have appreciated that a reduction in the number andthe size of such appliances can help address issues of limitedcountertop and storage space, as well as a desire to decrease clutter.The inventors have recognized that one way to address these issues is toprovide a drive unit that can be used to drive different processingtools that traditionally each required their own, separate drive unit.Provided herein are embodiments where a drive unit has more than onemode of operation, works with different food processing containers,and/or may be used in more than one orientation.

As used herein, the term “processing tool” refers to any tool used toprocess foods and other materials. A processing tool may include, butare not limited to, one or more blades, one or more whisks, one or moreice crushers, one or more dicers, one or more graters, one or moreshredders, one or more combined shredder/slicers, one or more cubers,one or more dough hooks, one or more whippers, one or more slicers, andone or more french fry cutters. In some cases, a processing tool may beone or more tools that are used to clean the food processor container.As used herein, the term “food” includes any solid or liquid comestible,and any mixture of a solid food and a liquid food.

As used herein, the terms “connected,” “attached,” or “coupled” are notlimited to a direct connection, attachment, or coupling, as twocomponents may be connected, attached, or coupled to one another viaintermediate components.

According to one aspect, a drive unit has more than one mode ofoperation, with each mode of operation having a different manner ofactuation. The drive unit may include a motor that can be actuated by auser interacting with one or more activation sites. According to oneembodiment, shown in FIG. 1, a food processing apparatus 1 is operatedin a first mode of operation where the drive unit 100 is supported by afirst container 10. The drive unit 100 includes a first end 120 and asecond end 121. In the first mode of operation, the second end 121engages with a lid 200, and a drive coupling of the drive unit drivesone or more a food processing tools, such as one or more blades, in thefirst container. A user can interact with a first activation site 110located at the first end 120 to actuate the drive unit. As used herein,an “activation site” refers to any portion of the food processingapparatus a user interacts with to actuate a drive unit. In some cases,as will be described below, interaction with an activation may actuatethe drive unit via intermediate components. For example, in someembodiments, interaction with the activation site triggers an activator(for example, a switch), which in turn actuates the drive unit. In someembodiments, the first activation site is a button that can be pressedand/or pulled by the user. However, it should be appreciated that otherarrangements for the first activation site are possible, such as aswitch, a knob, a slider, a motion sensor, a touch screen, a contactsurface arranged such that, when a user pushes down on the surface, theentire drive unit moves downwardly and activates a switch, or any othersuitable arrangement.

The second mode of operation of the food processing apparatus 1 is shownin FIG. 2, where the drive unit 100 supports a second container 20. Inthe second mode of operation, the second end 121 of the drive unit 100engages with the second container 20. The drive unit has a drivecoupling that drives a processing tool 25, such as one or more blades,in the second container. In the second mode of operation, a userinteracts with a second activation site 140 located at the top end ofthe second container 20 to actuate the drive unit. In some embodiments,the second activation site is a surface on the second container that canbe contacted by a user. When the user presses down on the secondactivation site 140, the entire container 20 moves downwardly,triggering one or more activators within the drive unit 100, which inturn actuates the drive unit, as will be discussed in more detail below.However, it should be appreciated that other arrangements for the secondactivation site are possible, such as a button that is depressed and/orpulled, a switch, a knob, a slider, a motion sensor, a touch screen, orany other suitable arrangement, as this aspect is not necessarily solimited.

The drive unit may be used with a container having any suitable volumeand design. In some cases, the container is a large pitcher (e.g., thefirst container 10) that can hold multiple servings. In such anembodiment, the container may include a handle and a spout to facilitatepouring contents and/or the lifting and moving of the container. A lidmay be provided and may include a hole through which food can pass suchthat food can be added to or removed from the food-containing volume ofthe container without removing the lid. The container also may be asmaller single-serve jar (e.g., the second container 20) out of which auser can consume the food or drink that was processed within the secondcontainer. In some cases, the processing tool is removed from the jarbefore a user consumes the food or drink from the jar.

As seen in FIGS. 3A-3B, in some embodiments, the same drive unit 100 canbe used in two different modes of operation. FIG. 3A depicts the firstmode of operation where a user interacts with the first activation site110 to actuate the drive unit 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A,the first activation site 110 comprises a button that a user pushes toactuate the drive unit 100. FIG. 3B depicts the second mode of operationwhere a user interacts with the second activation site 140 by pushingdown on the container 20 at second actuation site 140 to actuate thedrive unit. As such, the activation site for the first mode of operationis at a different location than the activation site for the second modeof operation, and thus actuation of the drive unit is performed in adifferent manner in the second mode of operation as compared to thefirst mode of operation.

According to one aspect, the drive unit has a different orientationrelative to a support surface in the second mode of operation ascompared to the first mode of operation. As seen in FIG. 3A, the driveunit 100 has a first orientation relative to a support surface 5 whenbeing used in the first mode of operation, where the first end 120 islocated above the second end 121 and the drive unit 100 is beingsupported by the container 10. As seen in FIG. 3B, the drive unit 100has a second orientation relative to the support surface 5 when beingused in the second mode of operation, where the second end 121 is nowabove the first end 120 and the drive unit 100 supports a container 20,rather than being supported by a container. The first orientation ofdrive unit 100 relative to the support surface 5 is vertically flippedupside-down as compared to the second orientation of the drive unit. Inthis manner, a user can use the same drive unit 100 in two differentarrangements, with different containers and/or processing tools.

Each container 10, 20 includes a processing tool. The user can first usethe drive unit 100 to drive a first processing tool within the firstcontainer 10, then decouple the drive unit from the first container,flip the drive unit 100 upside-down, place the first end 120 of thedrive unit 100 onto the support surface 5, couple the second container20 to the second end 121 of the drive unit, and drive a secondprocessing tool.

The manner in which the drive unit interfaces with the containers andprocessing tools will now be discussed. In some embodiments, as seen inFIG. 4A, the second end 121 of drive unit 100, which interfaces with thelid 200 of the first container 10 in the first mode of operation (seeFIG. 1), includes a drive coupling 124. As seen in FIG. 4B, which is across-sectional view of the drive unit 100, the drive coupling 124 iscoupled to a motor 126 via a drive shaft 125.

As seen in FIG. 5, the first container 10 includes a lid 200 that can beremoved from the container 10. A food-containing volume is definedbetween the lid 200, the interior bottom surface of the container, andthe interior sidewall of the container. The lid has a coupling region210 that interfaces with the second end 121 of the drive unit 100 in thefirst mode of operation. As seen in FIG. 1, the drive unit may fit overthe coupling region 210 (see FIG. 5) of the lid 200 such that thecoupling region 210 is not visible when the drive unit 100 is coupled tothe lid 200. Turning back to FIG. 5, the coupling region 210 includes adriven coupling 220 which receives the drive coupling 124 of the driveunit. FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged view of the coupling region 210 of thelid 200.

According to one aspect, the drive unit and container lid includealignment features that help to facilitate proper alignment between thedrive unit and the container lid. In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 4A,the second end 121 also includes one or more alignment features such ascurved, angled surfaces 112 which cooperate with alignment features onthe container lid. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG.4A, the alignment feature(s) on the second end of the drive unit includea surface that is angled relative to a direction in which the drive unitand the lid are brought into physical contact with one another.Alternatively or in addition, in some embodiments, for example, as shownin FIG. 4A, the alignment feature(s) on the second end of the drive unitare curved about an axis that is parallel to the axis of rotation of thedrive coupling 124. As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the coupling region 210includes alignment features such as curved, angled surfaces 212 thatcooperate with the curved, angled surfaces 112 on the drive unit 100. Insome embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the alignmentfeature(s) on the container lid include a surface that is angledrelative to the direction in which the drive unit and the lid arebrought into contact with one another. Alternatively or in addition, insome embodiments, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the alignmentfeature(s) on the container lid are curved about an axis that isparallel to the axis of rotation of the driven coupling 220.

In some embodiments, the alignment features on the drive unit and on thecontainer lid are constructed and arranged to facilitate properalignment between the drive unit and the container lid when the twocomponents are brought together for operation in the first mode ofoperation. In some embodiments, the alignment features on the drive unitand the container lid permit the drive unit to self-seek the properalignment orientation relative to the container lid. To couple the driveunit 100 to the container lid 200, a user picks up the drive unit 100and places the second end 121 of the drive unit 100 onto/over thecoupling region 210 of the lid 200. Once the second end 121 of the driveunit 100 has been placed onto/over the coupling region 210 of the lid200, the user can let go of the drive unit 100, and the drive unit 100will begin to self-seek the proper alignment orientation relative to thecontainer lid 200. The curved, angled surfaces 112 of the drive unit 100contact and slide down the curved, angled surfaces 212 of the containerlid 200 due to the weight of the drive unit 100, causing the drive unit100 to automatically rotate relative to the lid 200 toward an alignedorientation until the drive unit 100 reaches the lowest point of theangled surfaces 212 of the container lid and cannot move downward anyfarther. In some cases, this lowest point is the aligned orientation.

In other embodiments, the drive unit does not automatically moverelative to the lid toward an aligned orientation once the user placesthe drive unit onto the coupling region of the lid and lets go of thedrive unit. In some embodiments, the user continues to apply a force onthe drive unit to move the drive unit toward the aligned orientationrelative to the lid. In some cases, alignment features on the drive unitand the container lid may facilitate movement of the drive unit towardthe aligned orientation. For example, in some embodiments, a user mayrotate the drive unit relative to the lid to place the drive unit in thealigned orientation, and, in some cases, alignment features on the driveunit and the lid facilitate rotation of the drive unit relative to thelid toward the aligned orientation.

In some embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 4A and 6, the second end 121 ofthe drive unit 100 and the container lid 200 have additional alignmentfeatures such as protrusions 116 on the drive unit 100 that cooperatewith depressions 216 on the container lid 200. When the user places thedrive unit 100 onto/over the coupling region 210 of the lid 200 and letsgo of the drive unit, the curved, angled surfaces 112 of the drive unitslide down the curved, angled surfaces 212 of the container 10 due tothe weight of the drive unit 100, causing the drive unit 100 to rotaterelative to the lid 200 until the protrusions 116 enter the depressions216.

Although the drive unit rotates relative to the lid to reach the alignedorientation, it should be appreciated that other arrangements arepossible, as this aspect is not so limited. For example, instead of, orin addition to rotation, the drive unit may slide laterally relative tothe lid. In some embodiments, the angled surfaces on the container lidand the drive unit may be substantially straight instead of curved. Insome embodiments, the lid moves relative to the drive unit to place thelid and drive unit in the aligned orientation relative to one another.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4-6, the drive unit 100 has two alignedorientations relative to the lid 200, where the aligned orientations arerotated 180 degrees from one another. In other embodiments, there may bea single aligned orientation between the lid and the drive unit. In yetother embodiments, there may be 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or any other suitablenumber of aligned orientations, as this aspect is not so limited. Inaddition, the aligned orientations may be rotated any suitable number ofdegrees relative to one another.

In the second mode of operation, as seen in FIG. 2, the second container20 is supported by the drive unit 100. The bottom end of the secondcontainer 20 interfaces with the second end 121 of the drive unit. Asseen in FIGS. 8A-8B, the bottom end of the second container 20 includesa plurality of tabs 22. As seen in FIG. 7, the second end 121 of thedrive unit includes a plurality of plungers 130, 132, 134 and 136 thatcooperate with the tabs 22 of the second container. When the container20 is supported by the drive unit 100, the tabs 22 of the container 20rest upon the plungers 130, 132, 134 and 136 of the drive unit 100. Aswill be discussed in more detail below, downward movement of thecontainer 20 causes the tabs 22 of the container 20 to push down uponthe plungers 130, 132, 134 and 136 of the drive unit 100, which actuatesthe drive unit.

Aspects related to actuation of the drive unit will now be discussed.According to one aspect, an activation site is recessed into a first endof the drive unit such that the drive unit can be placed on a supportsurface with the first end contacting the support surface withoutactivating the activation site.

As discussed previously, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, in thefirst mode of operation, a user turns on the drive unit by pressing downon button 110. In some embodiments, the button 110 is recessed into thefirst end 120 of the drive unit 100. As seen in FIG. 9, which is a sideview of the drive unit and first container, the button is not visiblebecause the button is recessed into the first end 120. FIGS. 10A-10Bfurther illustrate that button 110 is recessed into the first end 120 ofthe drive unit. As a result, when the drive unit 100 is flipped upsidedown relative to the orientation shown in FIG. 9 such that the first end120 rests upon a support surface, the button 110 remains unactuated. Inaddition, with the button recessed inside the first end 120 and with thefirst end 120 resting upon a support surface in an upright position, asseen in FIG. 3B, a user is prevented from actuating the button becausethe user is unable to access the button.

According to another aspect, the interface between the first activationsite and the drive unit is sealed to prevent ingress of fluids anddebris into the drive unit. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, agasket seal 133 is provided to prevent ingress of liquids into the driveunit from the first end 120. In some embodiments, the gasket seal isovermolded onto both the button 110 and the first end 120 of the driveunit. The gasket seal may be made of rubber, an elastomer, a polymer, orany other suitable material.

In some embodiments, interaction with the first activation site triggersan activator, which in turn actuates the drive unit. As used herein, an“activator” is a component that, when triggered, actuates the driveunit. Possible activators may include, but are not limited to,mechanical switches, electromechanical switches, piezoelectric switches,solid state relays, switches with no moving parts, any other type ofswitch, valves, buttons, sliders, knobs, or any other suitablearrangement, as this aspect is not so limited.

FIG. 11 shows one embodiment including an activator that comprises aswitch 143. Closure of switch 143 actuates the drive unit. FIG. 11depicts the first end 120 of the drive unit with the outer buttonsurface and gasket seal removed, revealing the switch 143, an activationlever 144 and springs 145 beneath. The springs 145 support and bias thebutton 110 toward a raised position. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11,the switch 143 and activation lever 144 comprise a rocker switch that isconstructed and positioned such that the user may press down upon anyportion of the button 110 to actuate the switch 143, not just alocalized region near/at switch 143. In some embodiments, the switch 143includes a plate to prevent contact with high voltage if the gasket seal133 breaks.

The inventors have recognized that unintentional, premature, or improperactuation of the drive unit may lead to unintended release of foodcontents, particularly when the drive unit is coupled to a processingtool. In some cases, a user may assemble the food processor in animproper manner, and attempt to actuate the drive unit. For example, ifa container lid is not properly secured to the container, or the driveunit is not properly coupled to a container and/or container lid,actuating the drive unit may lead to release of contents or injury.According to one aspect, the actuation arrangement of the drive unitincludes one or more safety features that prevent actuation of the driveunit unless one or more safety conditions are met.

Actuation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation will now bedescribed. In some embodiments, triggering the activator, switch 143,alone is not sufficient to actuate the drive unit. Some embodiments mayinclude safety features that also must be triggered before the driveunit can be actuated. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A-12B, portionsof the housing of the drive unit 100 are removed or shown in phantom toreveal the components beneath. As seen in FIGS. 12A-12B, the drive unitincludes a plurality of safety features comprising switches 174, 176 and170. Each switch is associated with a plunger. As best seen in FIG. 13,when plunger 134 is pushed toward switch 174, a plunger end 135 abutsagainst and closes the switch 174. Each plunger interacts with a springthat biases the plunger away from its associated switch. Movement of theplunger 134 towards the switch 174 compresses the spring 137. In someembodiments, plungers 130 and 134 are associated with safety switches170 and 174, respectively. In this embodiment, plungers 132 and 136 arenot used in the first mode of operation.

As seen in FIGS. 14A-14B, the lid 200 includes two protrusions 234 thatinteract with plungers 130, 134. When the drive unit 100 is coupled tothe lid 200 in an aligned orientation, the plungers 130, 134 of thedrive unit 100 abut against the protrusions 234 of the lid 200, causingthe plungers 130, 134 to move toward safety switches 170, 174,respectively. As a result, safety switches 170, 174 close when the driveunit 100 is coupled to the lid 200 in an aligned orientation. In someembodiments, at least two safety switches are included, and all safetyswitches must be closed before the drive unit can be actuated. Thesafety switches may be arranged to be spaced 180 degrees apart from oneanother to verify proper alignment and complete coupling of the driveunit to the container lid. For example, if the drive unit wereimproperly coupled to the container lid such that one side of the driveunit abutted against the lid but the other side were raised such thatthe drive unit is tilted relative to the drive unit, one of the safetyswitches may be closed while the other is not. The safety switches maybe arranged such that the drive unit cannot be actuated unless allsafety switches are closed.

As seen in FIG. 14C, each protrusion 234 is located at the top end of aninterlock 230. The interlock 230 is biased by a spring 231 toward adownward position where the top end 234 of the interlock 230 is in alowered, non-protruding or semi-protruding position, and the bottom end235 of the interlock 230 protrudes below a bottom surface of the lid200. When the lid 200 is coupled to the container 10, the bottom end 235of the interlock 230 abuts against a rim of the container 10 and causesthe interlock 230 to be pushed upwardly, thereby causing the top end 234of the interlock 230 to protrude. In some embodiments, the interlock 230may serve as an additional safety feature. That is, unless the lid 200is properly secured to the container 10, the interlock remains in adownward position where the top end 234 of the interlock does notprotrude sufficiently to trigger the safety switches 170, 174 of thedrive unit to close. If the safety switches 170, 174 are not closed, thedrive unit cannot be actuated in this embodiment. As seen in FIG. 14C,the lid 200 may have two interlocks 230. In other embodiments, the lidmay have only one interlock, or may have three or more interlocks.

Of course, it should be appreciated that other arrangements fordisabling the drive unit before the lid is attached to the container canbe used. For example, the lid and container may use one or more sensors,other interlock arrangements, or any other suitable arrangement, as thisaspect is not necessarily so limited.

FIG. 15A depicts a schematic representation of the switches 170, 174 and176 of the drive unit 100. FIG. 15B depicts a schematic circuit diagramof the drive unit, where 170 and 174 are the safety switches. Switch 143that is the activator that is triggered by depression of the button 110located at the first end 120 of the drive unit (see FIG. 3A). Switch 176is a second activator associated with the second mode of operation, aswill be discussed. The circuit diagram of FIG. 15B illustrates that bothsafety switches 170 and 174 must be closed to complete the circuit, butonly one of the switches 143 or 176 needs to be closed to complete thecircuit and actuate the drive unit. Switch 143 closes when the driveunit is operated in the first mode of operation and switch 176 closeswhen the drive unit is operated in the second mode of operation.

Actuation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation will now bedescribed. As discussed above, in the second mode of operation, thesecond container 20 is supported by the drive unit 100, as seen in FIG.3B. As such, the drive unit 100 is oriented with the second end 121facing upward and the first end 120 facing downward, as shown in FIGS.16A-16B. The tabs 22 of the second container 20 (see FIGS. 8A-8B) arealigned with and rest upon the plungers 130, 132, 134 and 136 of thedrive unit 100. The weight of the container 20 alone is insufficient tocause the plungers 130, 132, 134 and 136 to move toward their associatedswitches, and thus when the tabs 22 of container 20 are resting upon theplungers 130, 132, 134 and 136, none of the switches 170, 174 and 176are closed. However, when a user presses down on the container 20 asseen in FIG. 3B, the tabs 22 abut against and move the plungers 130,132, 134 and 136 towards the first end 120 of the drive unit. The endsof the plungers 130, 134 and 136 abut against and close switches 170,174 and 176, respectively.

Turning back to circuit diagram FIG. 15B, with safety switches 170 and174 closed and with switch 176 closed, the drive unit is actuated. Thus,in the second mode of operation, when the container 20 is properlyaligned with the drive unit 100, and a user pushes the container 20 downtoward the drive unit 100, the drive unit is actuated. The user canrepeatedly press down on the container, release, then press down againto create a pulsing action. The user can also maintain pressure onto thecontainer 20 to create a continuous processing action. In someembodiments, the drive unit may have features that permit the containerto be releasably locked in an actuated position. For example, the usermay press down on the container 20, and, while still applying downwardpressure, rotate the container 20 relative to the drive unit 100 suchthat the tabs 22 of the container 20 slide under a locking surface inthe drive unit 100 that hold the tabs 22, and thus the container 20, ina releasably locked position such that the switches associated withdrive unit actuation remain closed. In this manner, a user need notmaintain pressure on the container. Instead, the locking feature of thedrive unit 100 may hold the container in the actuating position. Theuser may then release the container from the locked, actuating positionby rotating the container 20 back relative to the drive unit into anunlocked orientation.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12B, one ofthe plungers is a plunger that is not associated with any switch. Asseen in FIGS. 12A-12B, while plungers 134, 136 and 130 are eachassociated with a switch, plunger 132 is not associated with a switch.Movement of plunger 132 towards the first end 120 of the drive unit doesnot close a switch. The plunger may be included for symmetry and toprovide stability to the assembly. For example, inclusion of a fourthplunger may help to keep the container from tilting to one side as thecontainer is pushed downward toward the first end of the drive unit. Inother embodiments, however, an additional safety switch that isassociated with plunger 132 may be included in the drive unit.

It should be appreciated that the drive unit may be actuated in otherarrangements in the second mode of operation. For example, instead ofhaving a user press down on the container, the drive unit itself mayinclude an activation site with which a user interacts. For example, thedrive unit may include a control panel, button, or other suitableactivation site that a user interacts with to actuate the drive unit inthe second mode of operation.

While the embodiment above uses a first activator, switch 143, in thefirst mode of operation, and a second, different activator, switch 176,in the second mode of operation, it should be appreciated that, in otherembodiments, the first and second modes of operation may use the sameactivator to actuate the drive unit. For example, as seen in FIGS.17A-17B, an activator, switch 176′, is used to actuate the drive unit inboth the first and second modes of operation. As seen in FIG. 17A, whenthe drive unit is coupled to and aligned with container lid 200, theprotrusion 234 on the lid 200 abuts against the plunger 136′ and raisesthe plunger 136′ a first distance toward the switch 176′. Next, a userpushes down on button 110. As seen in FIG. 17A, the button 110 iscoupled to the switch 176′ such that translation of the button 110causes the switch 176′ itself to translate with the button. Thus, as auser pushes button 110 down toward the plunger 136′, switch 176′ movesdown towards the plunger 136′ as well. Movement of the switch 176′toward the plunger 136′ causes the switch 176′ to abut against theplunger 136′, which causes the switch 176′ to close. Closure of switch176′ actuates the drive unit. In some embodiments, one or more safetyswitches also must be closed before the drive unit can be actuated, asdiscussed in previous embodiments.

FIGS. 18A-18C schematically illustrate actuation of the drive unit inthe first mode of operation. As seen in FIGS. 18A-18B, when the driveunit is coupled to and aligned with the container lid 200, theprotrusion 234 on the lid 200 abuts against the plunger 136′ and raisesthe plunger 136′ a first distance D1 toward the activator, switch 176′.Next, as seen in FIGS. 18B-18C, a user pushes down on button 110, whichcauses switch 176′ to move downward toward the plunger 136′ by adistance D2 until the switch 176′ abuts against the plunger 136′, thusclosing the switch 176′.

As seen in FIG. 17B, downward movement of the container 20 causes tabs22 to abut against and move plunger 136′ downward toward the switch176′, which causes the plunger 136′ to abut against and close the switch176′.

Although the switches are shown as horizontal switches, it should beappreciated that vertical switches may be used as well, such as switch176″ depicted in FIGS. 19A-19C. With a vertical switch, the switch 176″may continue to move past plunger 136′ after the switch 176″ has beenclosed, as seen in FIG. 19C.

The inventors have recognized that when a user pours contents out of acontainer or otherwise tilts the container, the lid of the container canbecome detached from the container. According to one aspect, the lidand/or container may include one or more engagement features that helpto facilitate engagement of the lid with the container.

As discussed above, the first container includes a lid that can beattached and removed from the container. In one embodiment, shown inFIGS. 20-21, the lid 200 includes an indexing feature 262 and anindentation 264. An identical or similar second indexing feature andindentation may be included on the opposite side of the lid. Theindexing feature 262 may cooperate with a corresponding alignmentfeature 12 on the container 10, as seen in FIG. 21. When a user placesthe lid 200 onto the opening of container 10, the indexing feature 262is received by the alignment feature 12. As the user pushes the lid 200down into the opening of the container 10, the indexing feature 262 mayslide against the sloped edges 16 of the alignment feature on thecontainer 10, which helps guide indexing feature 262 toward the alignedorientation. When the indexing feature 262 settles into the alignedorientation, a protrusion 14 on the container 10 is received by theindentation 264 of the lid 200, and engagement of the protrusion withthe indentation may help to keep the lid 200 engaged with the container10. The lid 200 also may include a gasket 250 that forms a seal againstthe inner sidewall of the container 10 when the lid 200 is engaged withthe container 10.

It should be appreciated that other arrangements may be used to helpkeep the lid engaged with the container. The lid and container may use aphysical interlock, one or more detents, one or more magnets, aninterference-type fit, one or more latches, a screw-top arrangement, orany other suitable arrangement, as this aspect is not so limited.

In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 22A, the lid 200 may include a tab260 that extends from the lid and overlies a portion of the handle 19 ofthe container 10. Additional views of the tab 260 can be seen in FIGS.1, 5, 6, 9 and 14B. In some embodiments, when the user wishes to pourcontents from inside the container 10 out of a spout 15, the user maygrasp the handle 19, with the thumb pressing the tab 260 downwardtowards the handle 19. In this manner, the user compresses the tab 260against a top surface 261 of the handle 19 (see FIG. 22B), which mayallow the user to help maintain engagement of the container lid 200 tothe container 10 when the container 10 is tipped forward to pourcontents out of the spout 15. In some embodiments, the tab may beflexible to facilitate compression of the tab toward the handle.

In an illustrative embodiment, a food processing apparatus is provided.The food processing apparatus includes a first container having anopening and a drive unit configured to drive a first processing tool inthe first container. The food processing apparatus also includes a lidconfigured to couple with the first container. The lid includes anindexing feature that cooperates with an alignment feature on the firstcontainer to facilitate alignment between the lid and the firstcontainer. In some embodiments, the indexing feature may comprise aprotrusion and the alignment feature comprises at least one sloped edgethat guides the protrusion toward the aligned orientation. In someembodiments, the lid may include an indentation that receives aprotrusion of the container such that interaction with the indentationand the protrusion resists detachment of the lid from the container. Insome embodiments, the food processing apparatus may be provided as partof a food processing apparatus, the food processing apparatus furthercomprising a second container, where the drive unit is configured todrive a second processing tool in the second container.

In another illustrative embodiment, a food processing apparatus isprovided. The food processing apparatus includes a first containerhaving a handle, an opening and a drive unit configured to drive a firstprocessing tool in the first container. The food processing apparatusalso includes a lid configured to couple with the first container. Thelid includes a tab that overlies the handle of the first container whenthe lid is coupled to the first container. The tab is configured to becompressed against the handle by a user to resist separation of thecontainer lid from the container. In some embodiments, the tab may becompressed against the handle by a thumb of the user.

Aspects associated with the container lid will now be discussed.According to one aspect, the container lid may house a transmissionsystem that drives a processing tool at a different speed and/orrotational direction than the output from the drive unit.

The transmission system receives power from the drive coupling of thedrive unit and drives an output that couples to a processing tool. Thetransmission system receives power from the drive coupling of the driveunit at a first speed and direction, and drives the output at adifferent speed and/or direction. In some embodiments, the transmissionsystem may be a reduction type transmission where the transmissionsystem drives the output shaft at a speed that is lower than that of thedrive unit, but at a higher torque than the drive unit. In otherembodiments, the transmission system may be an overdrive typetransmission where the transmission system drives the output shaft at aspeed that is higher than that of the drive coupling, but at a lowertorque than the drive coupling.

As seen in FIG. 23, the transmission system 301 drives the outputcoupling 320 at a different speed and/or direction than that of thedriven coupling 220, which is driven by a drive coupling 124 of thedrive unit. The transmission system 301 may serve as a reduction typetransmission or an overdrive type transmission.

Where the transmission system 301 is a reduction type transmission, thetransmission system 301 may have any suitable gear reduction, as thisaspect is not limited in this regard, For example, the transmissionsystem 301 may have a gear reduction ratio of 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1,7:1, 8:1, 9:1, or 10:1. Where the transmission system 301 is anoverdrive type transmission, the transmission system 301 may have anysuitable overdrive ratio, as this aspect is not limited in this regard,For example, the transmission system 301 may have an overdrive ratio of1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, 1:7, 1:8, 1:9, or 1:10. The transmission system301 may be any suitable transmission system, such as, but not limitedto, a planetary gear system, a step gear system, worm gears, beveledgears, and/or spur gears.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 23, the transmission system 301 includesa planetary gear system with a sun gear 354 and a plurality of planetgears 350 surrounding the sun gear 354. The planetary gear system mayhave any number of planet gears, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,or more planet gears, as this aspect is not limited in this regard.Rotation of the sun gear 354 about its axis causes the planet gears 350to both rotate about their own individual planet axes and to revolvearound the sun gear 354 within a ring gear inside a transmission housing303.

The planet carrier includes two plates: an upper plate 361 and a lowerplate 362. Each planet gear rotates about an axle that passes throughthe planet gear along the planet gear's longitudinal axis. The upper endof each axle is attached to the upper plate 361, and the lower end ofeach axle is attached to the lower plate 362. Revolution of the planetgears 350 around the sun gear 354 causes the upper and lower plates 361,362 to rotate about the sun axis. The lower plate 362 is rotationallyfixed to a coupling plate 321 of the output coupling 320. Thus, rotationof the lower plate 362 about the sun axis causes the output coupling 320to rotate about the sun axis as well. The output coupling 320 engageswith a coupling on a processing tool to drive the processing tool. Abearing 332 may permit rotation of the output coupling 320 relative tothe transmission housing 303.

According to one aspect, the transmission system is sealed to preventingress of liquid and debris into the transmission housing. As seen inFIG. 23, the transmission system 301 includes a lip seal 330 that ismounted onto the output coupling 320 of the transmission system. Whenthe transmission system 301 is assembled, the lip seal 330 is compressedbetween the outer surface of the output coupling 320 and the innersurface of the transmission housing 303. In the embodiment shown in FIG.23, the output coupling 320 is directly coupled to the lower plate 362of the planet carrier without an intervening output shaft. Without anintervening output shaft, the vertical length of the transmission system301 may be shortened, which may permit a lower profile lid housing tocontain the transmission system. In some cases, where the verticalheight of the lid housing is limited to a maximum height, a lowerprofile transmission system may permit the underside of the lid to sitflat against a support surface. Transmission systems with longervertical heights may protrude out from the lowermost surface of the lidhousing. Such a protrusion may prevent the underside of the lid fromsitting flat against a support surface.

Of course, it should be appreciated that the transmission system is notlimited to the embodiment shown in FIG. 23. In other embodiments, thetransmission system may include an output shaft that connects the platecarrier to the output coupling. In such embodiments, the lip seal mayseal against the outer surface of the output shaft rather than theoutput coupling.

In some embodiments, the underside of the lid includes a bottom surfacethat serves to house the transmission system. As seen in FIG. 24A, thelid 200 includes a bottom surface 290 such that the transmission systemis housed inside the lid 200. The bottom surface 290 protects thetransmission from liquids and debris and makes the underside of the lid200 easier to clean. For example, by including a bottom surface 290, thenumber of crevices and edges, which can be difficult to clean, arereduced. FIG. 24B depicts the container lid of FIG. 24A with the bottomsurface of the lid removed, revealing numerous crevices and edges thatmay be difficult to clean if exposed to liquid and/or debris.

In another illustrative embodiment, a food processing apparatus isprovided. The food processing apparatus includes a first containerhaving an opening and a drive unit configured to drive a firstprocessing tool in the first container. The food processing apparatusalso includes a lid configured to couple with the first container. Thelid includes a transmission system configured to couple an output of thedrive unit to an input of the first processing tool. The transmissionsystem includes an output coupling and a seal mounted on the outputcoupling. In some embodiments, the transmission system may include aplanetary gear system having a plate carrier, where the output couplingis directly coupled to the plate carrier.

In another illustrative embodiment, a food processing apparatus isprovided. The food processing apparatus includes a first containerhaving an opening and a drive unit configured to drive a firstprocessing tool in the first container. The food processing apparatusalso includes a lid configured to couple with the first container. Thelid includes a transmission system configured to couple an output of thedrive unit to an input of the first processing tool. An underside of thelid includes a bottom surface that reduces exposure of the transmissionsystem to debris and liquids.

Aspects related to venting and draining of the drive unit will now bediscussed. The inventors have recognized that, when the drive unit isused to support the processing container in the second mode ofoperation, liquids from the container may leak onto the drive unit. Adrain system through the drive unit is provided to allow such liquids todrain out of the drive unit.

In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 25, the drive unit is oriented foruse in the second mode of operation. The first end 120 of the drive unitis set upon the support surface 5 and the second end 121 faces upwardlyto receive a container. The second end 121 includes a drain hole 182that permits liquids that drip into the second end 121 to escape out ofthe drive unit. The drain hole 182 is formed through the segment 123 ofthe drive unit. FIGS. 26A-26B depict the underside of the segment 123.The underside of the drain hole 182 is seen in FIG. 26A, whichillustrates that drain hole 182 allows liquids to pass through thesegment 123 of the drive unit. FIG. 26B shows the segment 123 of thedrive unit coupled to a ring 190. The ring 190 includes a draincollector 192 that fits over the underside of the drain hole 182 andprevents liquids from passing further into the drive unit. FIGS. 27A-27Cdepict the ring 190 in isolation. FIG. 27A depicts the ring 190 in theorientation seen in FIG. 26B. FIG. 27B depicts the other side of thering 190, illustrating that drain collector 192 includes a drain outlet194. FIG. 27C is an enlargement of the drain collector 192 and drainoutlet 194.

As seen in FIGS. 28A-28B, which show the ring 190 integrated with therest of the drive unit 100, the drain outlet 194 communicates with theoutside of the drive unit. Liquid exiting the drain outlet 194 leaksdown the side of the drive unit. In some cases, the drain outlet 194 ispositioned away from the exhaust vent 197 such that liquid exiting thedrain outlet 194 does not enter the drive unit through the exhaust vent197. In some cases, allowing liquid to drain out the side of the driveunit rather than through the center of the drive unit may allow thedrive unit to retain a smaller size. In some cases, arranging a liquiddrain through the center of the drive unit may require the drive unit tobe increased in diameter in order to accommodate the drain. However, itshould be appreciated that the drain may be positioned at otherlocations in the drive unit. The drain may be positioned through thecenter of the drive unit, through more than one side of the drain unit,or any other suitable location, as this aspect is not so limited. Itshould be appreciated that more than one drain hole and/or drain outletmay be used, as this aspect is not so limited.

In other embodiments, the liquid exiting the drain outlet may bererouted, or a channel may direct the drained liquid from the drainoutlet to the first end 120 of the drive unit such that a user may graspthe sides of the drive unit without coming into contact with the drainedliquid.

According to one aspect, in addition to an exhaust vent, in someembodiments, the drive unit may include exhaust holes to facilitatecooling of the motor housed in the drive unit. As seen in FIGS. 26B,27A-C, and FIG. 28A, ring 190 includes a series of holes 196 arrangedaround the perimeter of the ring. The holes 196 communicate with theinside of the drive unit such that, in some embodiments, air enteringthe holes 196 flows through the inside of the drive unit and out of theexhaust vent 197 to cool the drive unit motor and the inside of thedrive unit. As such, the ring may have one or more holes for air intake,as well as one or more holes for draining liquid from the drive unit. Insome embodiments, the holes 196 are positioned such that liquid drainingout of the drain outlet 194 is not drawn into the holes 196. As bestseen in FIG. 28B, the holes 196 may be positioned at an upper surface199 of the ring. Without wishing to be bound by theory, in some cases,positioning the holes at the upper surface of the ring may decrease thelikelihood that liquid draining downward out from the drain outlet willbe drawn into the holes. Alternatively or in addition, the ring 190 mayinclude barriers 195 on either side of the drain outlet 194 that mayhelp to prevent liquid draining out of the drain outlet 194 from beingdrawn into the holes 196.

In an illustrative embodiment, a drive unit is provided. The drive unitincludes a drain hole at a first end portion of the drive unit thatcommunicates with a drain outlet to guide liquid out of a side wall ofthe drive unit. In some embodiments, the drain outlet may be positionedabove a bottom surface of the drive unit. In some embodiments, the driveunit may further include a ring comprising a plurality of air intakeholes. In some cases, the drain outlet may be located on the ring.

It should be appreciated that although many of the embodiments includedherein disclose a drive unit that is flipped upside-down between twodifferent modes of operation, other arrangements are possible, as thisaspect is not so limited. For example, in some embodiments, the driveunit may be arranged such that the first end of the drive unit drives afirst processing tool in a first mode of operation, while the second endof the drive unit drives a second processing tool in a second mode ofoperation. Thus, instead of having the same end of the drive unitinteract with the containers and processing tools therein, the driveunit may have a first end that interacts with a first container and asecond end that interacts with a second container. In some embodiments,each end of the drive unit includes a drive coupling.

For example, one embodiment is shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B, which depictfirst and second modes of operation, respectively, of a drive unit 100′.Drive unit 100′ includes a first drive coupling 127 at a first end 120′of the drive unit and a second drive coupling 129 at a second end 121′of the drive unit. Both drive couplings 127, 129 are coupled to anddriven by a motor 126. In some embodiments, the first drive coupling 129is coupled to motor 126 via a transmission 301 that drives the coupling127 at a different speed and/or direction than the output of motor 126.As seen in FIG. 29A, which depicts a first mode of operation, the firstdrive coupling 127 couples to a lid 200 of a container 10. In someembodiments, the drive coupling 127 may couple directly to a processingtool located within container 10. As seen in FIG. 29B, which depicts asecond mode of operation, the second drive coupling 129 couples to aprocessing tool located within a second container 20. In thisembodiment, the drive unit 100′ remains in the same orientation relativeto a support surface 5 when switched between the first and second modesof operation, rather than being flipped upside-down. In someembodiments, the drive unit 100′ may include a first lid 101 to coverthe first end 120′ when the first drive coupling 127 is not in use. Thedrive unit 100′ may also include a second lid 105 to cover the secondend 121′ when the second drive coupling 129 is not in use.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 30, the food processing apparatusmay include a bowl 500 that can be nested within the container 10 (e.g.,the first container 10). In such an embodiment, the bowl may be used bya user to keep the container clean and/or to store or serve a food itemprepared by the food processing apparatus. When the bowl and containerare nested together it may be difficult to remove the bowl from thecontainer because of the size of the bowl and the position of the bowlwithin the container. To address this issue, the bowl may include a tab508 to facilitate removal of the bowl from the container. In someembodiments, the tab 508 includes surface features, for example, africtional tab surface, to facilitate gripping of the tab.

The bowl 500 may be removably engaged with the container 10 viaengagement portions 502 (see FIG. 31). The bowl 500 has a volume V and,in some embodiments, the volume V of the bowl 500 is different than thevolume of the container 10. In some embodiments, a user may select touse a bowl having a volume sized to accommodate the food he will bepreparing (e.g., a bowl 500 that is smaller than the container). Inanother embodiment, the volume of the bowl 500 may be substantially thesame as the volume of the container 10 and used to keep the containerclean. The bowl 500 also may be configured such that the bowl 500 may beused for serving or storing a food item prepared by the food processingapparatus.

As shown in FIG. 31, the bowl 500 includes a ledge 504, which extendsoutwardly from an exterior surface 506 of the bowl 500. As shown, theledge 504 may extend horizontally from the exterior surface 506 of thebowl 500, although the ledge 504 also may extend in other directions. Insome embodiments, the ledge 504 of the bowl 500 may be configured torest on a corresponding ledge (not shown) of the container 10 to allowthe bowl 500 to be nested within the container 10. The correspondingledge of the container 10 may extend inwardly from an interior surface17 of the container 10. In other embodiments, the ledge 504 of the bowlis configured to position the bowl 500 inside the container (e.g., withrespect to the interior surface of the container) when the bowl 500 isnested within the container.

In some embodiments, the bowl 500 includes the tab 508 to facilitateinsertion and/or removal of the bowl 500 from the container 10. In someembodiments, the tab 508 extends vertically from a rim 510 of the bowl500. As shown in FIG. 31, the rim 510 of the bowl 500 may be locatedabove the ledge 504.

The tab 508 may have any shape and size suitable for inserting and/orremoving the bowl 500 from the container 10. As shown, in oneembodiment, the tab 508 has a substantially rectangular shape. The tab508 may instead have a circular, semicircular, oval, triangular, square,other polygonal shape, or other suitable. The tab 508 may be curved tomatch the contour of the exterior surface 506 of the bowl 500. In someembodiments (see, e.g., FIG. 32A), the tab 508 has a length L_(T) ofbetween about 0.5 inches and 3 inches, although other suitable lengthsmay be used. In some embodiments, the tab 508 has a height H_(T) ofbetween about 0.1 inches and 2 inches.

In some embodiments, the tab 508 includes surface features 513 tofacilitate gripping of the tab 508. As is shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B, inone embodiment, the surface features 513 are raised ridges 513, thoughother suitable surface features 513 may be used. For example, in someembodiments, the surface features 513 may include surface roughness orsurface textures that facilitate gripping of the tab 508 by creating africtional tab surface. Although the surface features 513 are includedon only one side of the tab 508 in these embodiments, in otherembodiments, the surface features 513 may be included on one or bothsides of the tab 508.

As shown in FIG. 30, in some embodiments, the tab 508 is configured toextend above the top of the container 10, such that the tab is easilyaccessible when the bowl 500 and container 10 are nested. In such anembodiment, as will be appreciated, the lid 200 of the container also isconfigured to extend above the top of the container 10, thus allowingthe tab 508 to be covered while the food processing apparatus is in use.In other embodiments, the tab 508 is configured such that the top 516 ofthe tab 508 is aligned with the top of the container 10. In such anembodiment, the tab 508 is positioned inwardly from the interior surfaceof the container 10 such that a user can access the tab 508 once thebowl 500 and container 10 are nested.

A user may grasp the tab 508 with his/her fingers and insert the bowl500 into the container 10 until the bowl 500 and container 10 arenested, for example, until the ledge 504 of the bowl 500 is restingagainst a ledge (not shown) of the container 10. In another example, theuser may grasp the tab 508 with his/her fingers and insert the bowl 500into the container until the bottom of the bowl is in contact with thebottom of the container and the ledge is in contact with the interiorsurface 17 of the container 10. Once the bowl 500 and container 10 arenested, the user may place the lid 200 and drive unit 100 on thecontainer and may use the food processing apparatus to prepare thedesired food. Once finished, the user can remove the lid (and drive unit100) to reveal the nested bowl 500 and container 10. To remove the bowl500, the user grasps the tab 508 with his/her fingers and pulls upwardlyon the tab 508 to remove the bowl 500 from the container 10.

According to one embodiment, a food processor, such as a blender,includes a first container and a second container. The second containeris insertable within the first container. The container has a side wallhaving an upper rim and a protrusion extending upwardly from the uppersecond rim. The protrusion is large enough to be pinched between twoadult fingers. In some embodiments, the protrusion includes a gripfeature on one or both sides.

In some embodiments, the food processing apparatus also includes aprocessing tool. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 33, the processingtool is a dough hook 600 which can be removably coupled to a containerof the apparatus. In some embodiments, it can difficult to remove thedough hook 600 from the container 10 (e.g., the first container 10)because a vacuum suction is formed by the dough within the container.That is, in some circumstances, it is difficult to pull the dough hook600 from the container 10 because the dough hook is embedded in thedough, and the dough seals against the inner wall of the container. Toaddress this issue, the dough hook 600 is provided with a graspingportion, such as a grasping disc 608, to facilitate removal of the doughhook 600 from the container 10.

As shown, the dough hook includes a blade assembly 602, couplingportions 604, 606, and the grasping disc 608. A first coupling portion604 (see FIG. 34), located at a bottom 610 of the dough hook 600, allowsthe dough hook 600 to be coupled to the bottom of the container 10. Insome embodiments, as shown, the dough hook 600 also has a secondcoupling portion 606 for coupling the dough hook 600 to the lid 200 ofthe apparatus, or, in some embodiments, to an output coupling 320 of thelid 200, or to a drive coupling 124 of the drive unit 100. As withprevious embodiments, the lid 200 may be coupled to the drive unit 100.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the blade assembly 602 includes a shaft 612with at least one blade 614 extending outwardly from the shaft 612. Inone embodiment, as shown, the blade assembly 602 includes four blades614, though the blade assembly 602 also may include more or fewerblades. In some embodiments, the first coupling portion 604 is coupledto the shaft 612 of the blade assembly 602 (e.g., to a bottom of theshaft 612). The first coupling portion 604 may be integral with theshaft 612 in some embodiments, though the first coupling portion 604 maybe a separate piece that is connected thereto. Similarly, in embodimentshaving the second coupling portion 606, the second coupling portion 606may be coupled to the shaft 612 of the blade assembly 602 or may beintegral with the shaft 612.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34, the grasping disc 608 may be connected tothe blade assembly 602, and, in some embodiments, the grasping disc 608may be coupled to the shaft 612 of the blade assembly 602. The graspingdisc 608 and blade assembly 602 may be formed integrally with oneanother, although the grasping disc 608 also may be a separate partattached thereto. As shown, in embodiments having the second couplingportion 606, the grasping disc 608 may be located between the bladeassembly 602 and the second coupling portion 606. In some embodiments,the grasping disc 608 is positioned a distance from and, in someembodiments, a substantial distance from, the blades 614 of the bladeassembly 602. In such an embodiment, the grasping disc 608 is positionedsuch that the user will not place his/her fingers near the blades 614when using the grasping disc 608 to remove the dough hook 600 from thecontainer 10.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 35A by way of example, thegrasping disc 608 has a substantially oval shape, though the graspingdisc 608 can have other suitable shapes. For example, in someembodiments, the grasping disc 608 may have a square, rectangular,circular, triangular, other polygonal shape, or other suitable shape.

As illustrated in FIGS. 35A-35C, the grasping disc 608 has a length L, awidth W, and a height H. As is shown in FIGS. 35A and 35B, the graspingdisc 608 may have any suitable length L. For example, in someembodiments, the length L of the grasping disc 608 may be between about0.75 inches and 3 inches. In some embodiments, the grasping disc 608 iscentered on the shaft 612 of the blade assembly 612 such that the lengthL of the grasping disc 608 is evenly distributed across the shaft 612.Stated differently, as shown, the grasping disc 608 may be coupled tothe shaft 612 such that a first length L1 of the grasping disc 608extending beyond one side of the shaft 612 is substantially the same asa second length L2 of the grasping disc 608 extending beyond the otherside of the shaft 612. In other embodiments, the first length L1 and thesecond length L2 may differ.

The grasping disc 608 also may have any suitable width W, for example,in some embodiments, the width W of the grasping disc 608 may be betweenabout 0.25 inches and 2 inches. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG.35C, the width W of the grasping disc 608 may be the same as a width ofthe shaft 612, while in other embodiments, the grasping disc 608 alsomay differ from the width of the shaft 612.

As shown in FIG. 35B, the grasping disc 608 may have any suitable heightH, for example, in some embodiments, the height H of the grasping disc608 is between about 0.05 inches and about 1 inch. The height H of thegrasping disc 608 may be constant across the length L of the graspingdisc 608 (e.g., the grasping disc 608 may have a substantiallyrectangular cross section), while in other embodiments, the height H ofthe grasping disc 608 also may vary across the length L of the graspingdisc 608. For example, as is shown in FIG. 35B, in some embodiments thewidth W of the grasping disc 608 is largest in a middle of the graspingdisc 608 and is smallest at ends of the grasping disc 608. That is, theheight H of the grasping disc 608 may taper from the middle of thegrasping disc 608 to the ends of the grasping disc 608.

To use the grasping disc 608 to remove the dough hook 600 from thecontainer, a user may place his/her fingers under the grasping disc 608.In one embodiment, the user places at least one finger under the firstlength L1 of the grasping disc 608 and at least one finger under thesecond length L2 of the grasping disc 608. Next, the user lifts his/herhand to remove the dough hook 600 from the container 10. In anotherembodiment, the user grasps the grasping disc 608 from above and pullsthe grasping disc 608 to pull the dough hook 600 from the container.

Although the grasping disc 608 has been shown and described on the doughhook 600, the grasping disc 608 also may be used with other processingtools to facilitate removal of the processing tool from the container10. For example, in another embodiment, the grasping disc may be usedwith a dicing assembly.

According to one embodiment, a processing tool assembly for a foodprocessor, such as a blender, includes a shaft and a processing toolmounted thereto. The processing tool assembly includes a graspingportion positioned higher on the shaft than the processing tool when theassembly is in a use position in the food processor. The graspingportion protrudes outwardly from the shaft. The outward protrusion maybe substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the lengthwisedirection of the shaft. In some embodiments, the grasping portion mayprotrude outwardly at an angle other than ninety degrees relative to thelengthwise direction of the shaft. The grasping portion may provide afirst surface area on a first side of the shaft, and a second surfacearea on a second side of the shaft, wherein each of the first and secondsurface areas is sized to accommodate an adult's finger, and faces atleast partially downwardly. The first and second surface areas may becurved or flat.

The above described components may be made with various materials, asthe invention is not necessarily so limited.

The above aspects may be employed in any suitable combination, as thepresent invention is not limited in this respect. Additionally, any orall of the above aspects may be employed in a food processing apparatus;however, the present invention is not limited in this respect, as theabove aspects may be employed to process materials other than food.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of thisinvention, it is to be appreciated that various alterations,modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled inthe art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intendedto be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spiritand scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description anddrawings are by way of example only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A food processing apparatus comprising: a driveunit configured to drive a processing tool; and a first containerincluding a lid, a bottom surface, and a sidewall, wherein afood-containing volume is defined between the lid, the bottom surface,and the sidewall, and the lid interfaces with the drive unit; whereinthe drive unit includes a first alignment feature and the lid includes asecond alignment feature that cooperates with the first alignmentfeature such that, upon placing the drive unit onto the lid, contactbetween the first and second alignment features and a weight of thedrive unit causes the drive unit to move toward an aligned orientationrelative to the lid.
 2. The food processing apparatus of claim 1,wherein contact between the first and second alignment features causesthe drive unit to rotate toward the aligned orientation relative to thelid.
 3. The food processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstalignment feature comprises a first surface angled relative to adirection in which the drive unit and the lid are brought into physicalcontact with one another, and the second alignment feature comprises asecond surface angled relative to the direction in which the drive unitand the lid are brought into contact with one another.
 4. The foodprocessing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second surfacesare curved about an axis that is parallel to an axis of rotation of adrive coupling of the drive unit.
 5. The food processing apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a second container, wherein: the drive unitis useable in a first mode of operation with the first container; andthe drive unit is useable in a second mode of operation with the secondcontainer.
 6. The food processing apparatus of claim 5, wherein thedrive unit has a first orientation relative to a support surface whenbeing used in the first mode of operation, the drive unit has a secondorientation relative to the support surface when being used in thesecond mode of operation, and the first orientation of the drive unit isvertically flipped upside-down as compared to the second orientation ofthe drive unit.
 7. A drive unit configured to drive a processing tool,comprising: first and second activators, the drive unit being useable ina first mode of operation with a first container and being useable in asecond mode of operation with a second container, wherein: in the firstmode of operation, the first container supports the drive unit, andtriggering of the first activator actuates the drive unit; and in thesecond mode of operation, the drive unit supports the second container,and triggering of the second activator actuates the drive unit.
 8. Thedrive unit of claim 7, wherein the first activator comprises a firstswitch and closure of the first switch actuates the drive unit.
 9. Thedrive unit of claim 7, wherein the second activator comprises a secondswitch and closure of the second switch actuates the drive unit.
 10. Amethod comprising: arranging a drive unit in a first mode of operationwith a first container where the first container supports the drive uniton a support surface; interacting with a first activation site toactuate the drive unit in the first mode of operation; removing thedrive unit from the first container; vertically flipping the drive unitupside-down; placing the drive unit on the support surface; arrangingthe drive unit in a second mode of operation with a second containerwhere the drive unit supports the second container; and interacting witha second activation site to actuate the drive unit in the second mode ofoperation, the second activation site being positioned at a differentlocation than the first activation site.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the first activation site comprises a button on the drive unit.12. The method of claim 11, wherein interacting with the firstactivation site comprises pressing the button.
 13. The method of claim10, wherein the second activation site comprises a surface on the secondcontainer.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein interacting with thesecond activation site comprises pressing on the surface of the secondcontainer.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein interacting with thefirst activation site causes a first switch in the drive unit to close,which actuates the drive unit.
 16. The method of claim 10, whereininteracting with the second activation site causes a second switch inthe drive unit to close, which actuates the drive unit.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein interacting with the second activation site causesthe first switch in the drive unit to close, which actuates the driveunit.
 18. The method of claim 10, wherein: in the first mode ofoperation, the first activation site is accessible by a user; and in thesecond mode of operation, a user is prevented from activating the firstactivation site when the drive unit is placed in an upright position onthe support surface.